Eric Rhoads' Blog
Women's Clothing Sales Begin To Rise
November 24, 2009: Women are beginning to buy clothes for themselves again after a down trend that's lasted more than a year. Analysts credit better consumer confidence, good prices, and improved fall fashions.
OSHA Chimes In On Black Friday Safety
November 23, 2009: The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is offering guidance on how to control excited crowds during Black Friday shopping, including barricades, bullhorns, and clearing obstacles like shopping carts. The National Retail Federation earlier released guidelines on keeping shoppers safe on Black Friday.
Wal-Mart CEO Looks For Big Gain In Online Sales
November 23, 2009: Walmart.com CEO Raul Vazquez is looking for a year-over-year gain in sales of as much as 30 percent over the holidays. The National Retail Federation is projecting that holiday retail sales overall will be down about 1 percent from last year.
Kohl's Offers 'Black Friday' Wish List
November 20, 2009: Kohl's is making "Black Friday" a little easier for shoppers by offering pictures and get prices on items that will be available the day after Thanksgiving.
Old Navy Sets Sail Again For Gap
November 19, 2009: Sales are rising after some slow years at Gap-owned Old Navy, the Wall Street Journal reports, as the stores go back to the jeans and T-shirt staples that draw teens.
Amazon Leads Customer Service Poll
November 18, 2009: Online retail giant Amazon.com tops a BIGresearch study on which retailers provide the best customer service. Kohl's and Nordstrom also led in their sectors.
Esurance Signs With Duncan/Channon
November 18, 2009: Independent agency Duncan/Channon wins the business of direct-to-consumer auto insurer Esurance, Adweek reports.
Walmart Shortens Pay Cycle For Some Suppliers
November 16, 2009: Walmart is offering about a thousand suppliers faster payment on invoices -- 10 to 15 days -- to help them cope with the bankruptcy of leading retail lender CIT Group. The move, the Wall Street Journal notes, could give Walmart "more power over its suppliers."
Kids Part Of The Art In Neiman Marcus Holiday Display
November 16, 2009: Dallas-area kids ages 4-10 can be part of Nieman Marcus' upcoming holiday display as they enter through portals in the store's giant plate-glass windows to walk and climb through an 85-foot-long tube, exploring a "factory" featuring schoolchildren's ideas for new energy sources.
Agencies Hiring Again -- Slowly
November 16, 2009: Ad Age reports that agencies are gradually beginning to bring more people on board, with the ad industry adding 800 jobs in September -- the first increase in nearly a year.
Gap Debuts Cheery Holiday Campaign
November 12, 2009: Gap is back on the air this with its first holiday campaign since 2006, the New York Times reports. The effort includes TV, print, and online, and features cheerleaders and musicians and an upbeat holiday theme.
Retailers Urged To Consider Safety On Black Friday
The National Retail Federation is issuing guidelines to help protect shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving, recommending signs and barriers to keep lines orderly, tickets or wristbands for customers in line, and even lighted parking lots and portable bathrooms for early bargain hunters.
